Why has CivFanatics overtaken Apolyton in members?

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?postid=4840731#post4840731

Good work!

Now hurry up with Serb!

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Jon Shafer
CFC has been the place for Civ modding ever since I first picked up Civ 3 in early 2002. Modding naturally draws a lot of attention because after a game is no longer being updated there's always new content being produced and something to get involved with. Back in the Civ 3-era, CFC was the place for modding and Apolyton was the master of Strategy stuff and Democracy games - but naturally those died out over time. Eventually you figure out the best way to play a game and get bored with doing the same thing over and again. Producing and playing new content keeps activity up.

But that's not the entire explanation for why CFC is more popular. Even when Civ 4 first came out CFC had at least twice as much traffic as Apolyton. I think the attitudes of the sites varies and has a lot to do with things. CFC is much more n00b-friendly. OT has kind of taken over all of the activity here. People seem to care more about the games over there, and I think that draws more of the interested people. And Apolyton has always seemed to have something of an "us-vs-them" mentality between different groups for some reason... be it Off Topic-vs-Civ fans, veterans-vs-new members, Civ 2-vs-Civ 3, CTP-vs-Civ, etc.

Best analysis in the thread

[Solver]

Unfortunately.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Ming
Yeah... the OTF is a community... And while it's good for site traffic, we really need to improve particaption in the gaming forums.

A possibility in this regard might be to let the on-topicers announce events on the OT more often. This thread makes me want to fire up Civ4 again (something I haven't done since october or so).

And I know I've checked several on-topic events for which there has been an ad thread in the OT (Civ4 demogame, diplo game).


Though I really think the increase in traffic for the games will come from new members, not from OT-ers. Most OT-ers seem to either have lost interest in the series, or to be in love with one opus in particular.

One of the reasons CFC is so active, as many people have noted in this thread, is because they are much younger than OT-ers, and thus have the time to contribute significantly to the community. IMO, the quality of 'Poly's web-page is essential to attract new members. As well as the quality of the discussion in those threads the frontpage links to.


Edit: after looking at 'Poly's Civ4 page, I see the news are regularly updated, and they seem pretty exhaustive However, only a few of those news have a related thread. I'm not saying every news is worth creating a dedicated thread in the Civ4 forum (like the Polish patch).
But it might be a good idea if the news-writer also started a thread (and links to it in the news) when he deems it prompts discussion. Mod-created threads can contribute to the activity among already existing members, and the link on the frontpage can contribute to attract new members.

[Solver]

Browsing CFC, it's visible that the majority of new players goes there. A few days ago, there were 3 "I'm new to Civ4" threads creating on that day. Of course, new members really increase forum activity in all ways.

As for announcing events, we do have forum-wide announcements (sometimes), and events are certainly announced in the news. I'm really not sure how advertising them here would impact activity because, as you note, most people in the OTF seem not to care about Civ games much - or be stuck playing Civ2 .

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

wtf is CFC?

[Lancer]

CluroFluroCarbons

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by rah
I have read a couple of things repeatedly that I would like to comment on.

I have read that I'm listed as a mod for civIV. Where is this listed? I haven't been able to find it. Granted I have mod capabilities over all the forum (at least in all that I've tried) but have yet to see my name listed in the CIV IV forums.

I have probably hosted more CIV II MP games (non duels) then anyone ever. Still active in the II community and post in almost every thead when it refers to strat or general discussions.

For CIV IV, I plan on having the same record. I've already probably hosted more MP games (non duels) than anybody here and try to post in every thread in the general or strat forums where I feel I can contribute.
We've already had over 30 different players join our saturday night game and the number keeps going up. There are usually 6 - 12 players every week. The MP game is thriving for us. The AUSSIES also have a thriving dipolmacy sytle game and post in volumes about it.

So while I think we need more participation, it's not from lack of effort on the mods parts (even those that aren't listed)

And yes, I've cut back on weekend posting due to playing too much civ.

Sorry if I recalled incorrectly. You weren't a CIV4 mod around the time of release? Was MtG? Or maybe it was always Locutus and Solver and I have that detail wrong.

I wasn't mentioning names of mods to level criticism at individuals, btw. People have jobs, families, other interests, and other forums to pay attention to.

If anything, I am saying the pool of leadership for the site is too small.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Lancer
CluroFluroCarbons

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Geronimo
Now hurry up with Serb!

I have Serbs email and know at least one of his identities in other forums, but why would I lure him back as long as the same russophobic jackasses who drove him away are still here? Only the good people leave.

[Solver]

Leave Serb alone, people. You may or may not have agreed with his views (and I know most didn't), but it was his decision to no longer post here, so show some respect for that.

[OzzyKP]

I don't see anyone picking on Serb, just picking on all the hostile OTers who drove him away.

[Solver]

From what I remember, there wasn't much open hostility, it's more just that no one agreed with his views - which isn't honestly surprising.

[Sirotnikov]

I think this sums it up:

Serb
Putin

I'd call "Serb for president", but I fear for his safety

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by Solver
Leave Serb alone, people. You may or may not have agreed with his views (and I know most didn't), but it was his decision to no longer post here, so show some respect for that.

Actually, this is a Friends of Serb convention. Nobody's picking on him.